Warnock keeps momentum going at home tournament

The senior from the Enterprise/Joseph wrestling team continues to win. He brought home the individual title at 220 pounds at the Cosgrove-Eschler Jo-Hi Wrestling Tournament Saturday.

“It’s my last year, and I want to go out the right way,” Warnock said.

He did that at his home tournament in dramatic fashion. Warnock held a comfortable lead over Michael Casey of Crane in the second round, but lost the handle for a split second and it nearly cost him.

“He’s pretty easy to take down,” Warnock said. “But, he has such a strong base. I was trying to get him onto the mat, and he just flipped me. I might have been a little overconfident, but I didn’t let it freak me out.”

Warnock, unlike last year, was able to get off his back and reassert control of the match.

“He did the same thing to me last year, and he pinned me,” Warnock said. “I didn’t want to let that happen again. It’s a great win because he’s in my district and I’ll see him again.”

This season has continued to get better for Warnock. But it all started at the beginning, with the co-op of the two schools. Warnock has another big body to battle with in practice — Matthew Staigle. Staigle, also a senior, won the title at 195.

“It definitely helps,” Staigle said. “Wyatt is a great wrestler, and it helps to have someone like that to go up against in practice. We try to make each other better.”

It’s helped so far. Warnock brought home the title from the Muilenburg Tournament earlier this season. For Warnock, it was another prize that he’s had his eye on one.

“I wanted that big belt buckle they give out,” Warnock said. “That’s a big tournament. It gave me a huge boost of confidence. Being one of the small schools there, it was amazing to be able to take it all.”

Now, Warnock is turning his attention to the rest of the season. As a junior he finished third at the state tournament. He fell to Jevon Painter of Gilcrest to open the tournament by fall. But, he turned around to defeat Painter by fall to end the tournament.

“Confidence is a big thing,” Warnock said. “It’s something that comes with experience, and it’s getting a lot better for me. I’m excited to see what the rest of the year brings.”

If it’s anything like the beginning of the season, it’s going to be an exciting finish.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season brings,” Warnock said. “It’s going to be a long road until districts and state. I just need to keep working hard in practice and listening to what my coaches tell me.